Evaluation of anticonvulsant properties of ethanol stem bark extract of Lophira lanceolata (Ochnaceae) in mice and chicks

Abstract

Decoction of Lophira lanceolata known in Hausa as Namijin Kadanya has been used by many communities in northern Nigeria for the treatment of various ailments, commonest of which is epilepsy. The current study is aimed at evaluating the claim of this medicinal plant part by herbalist for the treatment of epilepsy. A preliminary phytochemical screening was performed on the stem bark extract after which intraperitoneal LD₅₀ was determined in mice. Anticonvulsant screening was carried out using Maximal electroshock Test (MEST) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in one day old chicks and mice respectively. Flavonoids, saponins, tannins and glycosides were found to be present. The intraperitoneal LD₅₀ in mice was found to be 1131.31 mg/kg. There was no significant prolongation in the latency of seizures or protection in both the MEST and PTZ model. Conversely, a significant (p.0.05) delay in the mean onset of seizures was recorded with standard drugs, sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) and phenytoin (40 mg/kg) in PTZ and MEST respectively. The findings of this study revealed that the stem bark extract of Lophira lanceolata at the doses tested do not contain any bioactive constituents that is useful in the management of epilepsy.

Key words: Epilepsy, maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazole, Lophira lanceolata